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   delay

   /dɪˈleɪ/

   verb

   • 1. make (someone or something) late or slow: "the train was delayed" Similar detainhold upmake lateretardkeep (back)slow upslow downset backbog downhinderhamperimpedeobstruct
   • ▪ be late or slow; loiter: "time being of the essence, they delayed no longer" Similar lingerdallytake one's timedrag one's feetbe slowhold backlag/fall behinddawdleloiternot keep pacewaste timeprocrastinatestallplay for timebuy timehang firemark timetemporizehesitatedithershilly-shallystonewallfilibusterinformal:dilly-dallylet the grass grow under one's feetarchaic, literary:tarryOpposite hurry
   • ▪ postpone or defer (an action): "he may decide to delay the next cut in interest rates" Similar postponeput offdeferhold overshelvesuspendstayhold in abeyancepigeonholerescheduleadjournput overtablelay on the tablecontinueinformal:put on iceput on the back burnerput in cold storagerare:remitrespiteOpposite advancebring forward

   noun

   • 1. a period of time by which something is late or postponed: "a two-hour delay" Similar hold-upwaitwaiting perioddetainmenthindranceimpedimentobstructionsetbackintervalgapinterludepostponementdeferraldefermentputting offstayrespitereschedulingadjournmentcontinuationrare:put-off
   • ▪ the action of delaying or being delayed: "I set off without delay" Similar lingeringdallyingdawdlingloiteringprocrastinationstallinghesitationditheringshilly-shallyinginformal:dilly-dallyingarchaic, literary:tarryingrare:cunctation
   • ▪ the time interval between the propagation of an electrical signal and its reception.
   • ▪ an electronic device which introduces a delay, especially in an audio signal.

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French delayer (verb).

   Derivatives

   • 1. delayer noun

   Scrabble Points: 9

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   • E

     1

   • L

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   • A

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   • Y

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